Hi Guys.

We are away with our 5th wheel RV on a site in the UK, however upon entry and parking somebody checking out my truck noticed lots of oil drops under it, I was like "No it will not be me" but yep you guessed it, it WAS me ahhhhhhh!!!!

Anyway I cleaned off the drops around box, chassis, cross member etc, took the plate off that covers the flywheel and I guess torque conv? as it looked to be coming from there? but there was not much in there fluid wise and I'd have thought it would have sprayed everywhere in there?

So Saturday I put a liter of dexron III in to bring it up to level, as the dipstick was clean with engine running, I ran it for maybe 10 miles yesterday, but after a 10 minute drive today (without trailer) I've noticed a drip at that plate again???

Any idea what is going on??? and can I at least drive home 65 miles tomorrow?? I've a 36ft Newmar Kountry Aire to pull, GOT 4 LITERS OF SPARE TRANS FLUID lol!!

ALSO I noticed one of my pistons on my rear driver side caliper was stuck in and had been heating rear wheel, this was happening when the leak sprang.

Just for info I had trans fluid changed about a month ago? along with filter, but was not flushed as fluid was clean anyway, I had been towing in overdrive, and turning OD off at hills etc on route to location.

This is only my 2nd time towing something BIG.

Sorry if this all sounds a bit noobish, but I'm new-ish to the truck in England with no pro tech support

 

trans pan gasket sounds like its leaking this is common problem for E4OD and 4R100 trannys. no big deal just keep a eye on the level. and have it taken care of as soon as you can.

 

Was the leaking noticed after the trailer was backed into the space? It could be the transmission got a little hot while backing and puked a little fluid.

 

Hi People, it does not seem to be coming from the pan area (although it did get coated, as did my nerf/side steps get a little misting) the wet point most forward is that little metal plate/cover that hides fly wheel and T converter, basically where box joins engine.

It was not due to the reversing, as the mist of trans fluid shows it doing it at speed, as there is even spots of fluid on my reverse lights that hang from rear bumper.

But I deffo had drag caused by a stuck piston in my rear brake caliper, called RAC (UK Breakdown/recovery Co) they have freed it the best they can, but it seems to get stuck when going back its last few milimeters.

I'm guessing I've blown/cooked something due to excess pressure? pulling trailer (GVW 12,500Ibs don't know actual weight) sticking rear brake, lots of hill driving.

Guess next trip out is cancelled :-( as it will have to go into a trans specialist, then we have to order parts when we know what is broke then wait a week or more for arrival into the country from the USA)

 

Dextron III is not the right fluid for these trans. They take Mercon or Mercon V.

 

Okay well NOW things get real confussing??? and

Because I started a thread on this subject a while back and the result was Dexron III is basically Mercon !!!!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-or-what.html

if this is the case and its wrong!! a big fat thank you is in order for encoraging me to destroy my gearbox, I asked at the Ford-trucks forum thinking it would be the place to ask instead of traweling the net for "if's and maybe's"

Here is hoping you have slightly outdated info.

UPDATE: Regarding leak, drove it back home with the trailer, kept it with Overdrive off (so hardly spoke to wife due to 2300rpm drowning us out) and used no fluid and there seems to be no dripping under there now.

Did this all happen due to rear caliper sticking on one piston???, back wheel got VERY hot, have since freed it off although still not right and a new $300 caliper must be ordered (USA purchase price + large shipping costs + 20% of item value and shipping costs =£$£$£$!!!

 

Due to lack of input here I spent a while searching and I think you'll find you are in fact wrong, DEXRON and MERCON are the same, its just one is Ford branded the other GM

http://www.finalube.com/Product_Data..._Files/ATF.pdf

http://www-static.shell.com/static/c.../pz_header.pdf

http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-Eng...ex_III_Mer.pdf

http://www.hwpetro.com/_fileCabinet/...-DexronIII.pdf

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ii-mercon.html

 

Since it didn't spit while the od was locked and if you're sure the trans wasn't over filled when it was changed it might be overheating while towing in OD. A dragging caliper will add to the problem.

Do you have a trans temp. gauge?
A trans. cooler and it hasn't been bypassed for some reason?
Best to have both in good working order when towing.

Something caused the spitting but it's nothing but guess work on-line. Have it checked.


On a side note my 99 was notorious for caliper problems, cheap to replace here but by the time you realize what was going on with it , the rotor ended up warped/damaged and fairly new pads were shot as well. Very annoying.

 

Look at the dates of the links. It hasn't been that long ago that ford had Mercon change the formula of Mercon V to work in out trans. They don't even make Mercon any more, only Mercon V.

 

That's correct.

That is very possible. The torque converter hub seal will leak if it gets too hot. The added load of the dragging brake, along with the heating from backing up at low speeds can easily overheat the seal. Once it cools it is usually good as new.

There is an updated part made from Viton that is a lot more heat resistant.

Ford actually never made MERCON or MERCON V. They licensed oil companies to make the fluids. Ford stopped licensing the production of MERCON in 2006, which is the same time the GM stopped licensing DEXRON III. Many companies still make DEXRON III and MERCON, and often label them DEXRON III/MERCON. They are fine to use, but MERCON V is a superior fluid. Neither MERCON nor DEXRON III will damage a 4R100.

 

Viper - In case you have not been here long, Mark is one of the most credible sources you will ever find on these transmissions.

 

Get a mirror to look at the vent on top of the tranny to ascertain if the fluid is coming out of the vent when the tranny runs warm.

My brand new f350 with 500 miles was throwing fluid out of the vent and it would seep down to the bottom of the tranny appearing as though the leak was elsewhere.

Ford dealer said it was a pourous tranny case, and replaced the case. After new tranny case, it still appeared to be seeping out of the case. Someone on here said they had a similar problem with the factory and the dealer overfilling the tranny and the fluid puking out the vent. I checked the tranny vent myself with a mirror, and found fluid at the vent. The fluid was coming out the vent and then running down the outside of the tranny.

I drained a little fluid, and presto, the leak stopped! A shame the dealer and Ford mechanic couldn't figure this out without pulling the tranny and replacing the outer case.

 

Thanks for that info Mark, I had started to worry a little even though I thought I was right? it was only from info on the net and we all know there is a whole lot of misleading info out there.

Thanks mwsF250 I figured Mark knew his stuff.

As for my leak, I don't think it was coming from the top? but hey I maybe wrong so will try the mirror thing.

I must say when I checked the level after finding the leak, there was NO fluid on the dipstick while running so don't think it was over full, it took a liter of fluid to get midway on the dipstick.

Also it had leaked before any reversing happened, then when I did reverse it was at 2-3mph for around 2 minutes (back and forth while I attempted to get straight on campsite)

To me it really did seem to be coming from behind that metal cover that covers the flywheel and torque converter, although it had not coated everything??? which I thought would have happened??? all very confusing.

To be honest I'm to uncomfortable to push truck now even without trailer, so should save some money on fuel lol!! shame as I did enjoy leaving the mid range sports cars behind at the lights lol!!

Anyway thank for the info and taking the time out to advise...